Taipei, Sept. 1 (CNA) The 2017 Taoyuan International Indigenous Music Festival opens Saturday at the Taoyuan Arts Plaza.

The two-day festival, the theme of which is "Music brings us together," will be held from Sept. 2- 3 and seeks to promote friendship through music, with about 30 acts set to showcase indigenous culture through music, art, food and culture and creative products.

Department of Indigenous Affairs Deputy Director Chen Cheng-hsiung said in a press interview that music is key to understanding indigenous culture, which is why the Taoyuan City government has held the annual music festival for three consecutive years.

He noted that recent research has suggested that the Austronesian peoples originated in Taiwan, a fact that makes the hosting of an international indigenous music festival on the island all the more meaningful.

Indigenous Taiwanese bands and musicians scheduled to perform include Chang Chen-yueh, Power Station and Boxing.

International acts set to headline at the festival include Kilema from Madagascar, Moana Maniapoto from New Zealand and Yairenka from Hokkaido, Japan.

Chen pointed out that more than 70,000 indigenous people live in Taoyuan City -- a number that continues to grow and currently means Taoyuan has the third largest indigenous community in Taiwan, after Hualien and Taitung counties.

The music festival will also include cultural and creative product stalls, indigenous food, outdoor movie screenings and indigenous instrument samplings. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the cultural charm of the indigenous people of Taiwan.